Micheál Podgers
@michealpodgers.bsky.social
Yassssssifying infrastructure.
📍Chicago
👨🏻💻Urban Planner
🗣️ EN DE FR NL GA
Professional account. All opinions my own.
📍Chicago
👨🏻💻Urban Planner
🗣️ EN DE FR NL GA
Professional account. All opinions my own.
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
ICE still FROZEN at Centre St & Howard in lower Manhattan right now as calls continue circulating for people to join.
NYPD arriving with barricades.
NYPD arriving with barricades.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
ICE still FROZEN at Centre St & Howard in lower Manhattan right now as calls continue circulating for people to join.
NYPD arriving with barricades.
NYPD arriving with barricades.
NGL but I think one of my secret weapons as an urban planner is having a background in history. The core of good urban planning is thinking in decades long increments. And successful planning requires asking “what does my decision mean in both 2 years and 60 years.” And that’s minimalist.
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 AM
NGL but I think one of my secret weapons as an urban planner is having a background in history. The core of good urban planning is thinking in decades long increments. And successful planning requires asking “what does my decision mean in both 2 years and 60 years.” And that’s minimalist.
The holidays always starkly reveal how little investment we have in transit. Transit should be reliable on the days we’re collectively the most mobile. But it doesn’t need to be intense levels of service, just smart levels.
November 28, 2025 at 3:05 AM
The holidays always starkly reveal how little investment we have in transit. Transit should be reliable on the days we’re collectively the most mobile. But it doesn’t need to be intense levels of service, just smart levels.
I’m grateful I learned how to navigate places before the internet.
November 27, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I’m grateful I learned how to navigate places before the internet.
It’s Thanksgiving-eve in Chicago and it’s snowing with cold settling in for at least a week — likely longer. In a few days Chicago’s sidewalks will be a mix of snow, ice, and slush. This will make it hard for anyone to get around, it’ll be nearly impossible for disabled people, seniors, and others.
November 26, 2025 at 10:21 PM
It’s Thanksgiving-eve in Chicago and it’s snowing with cold settling in for at least a week — likely longer. In a few days Chicago’s sidewalks will be a mix of snow, ice, and slush. This will make it hard for anyone to get around, it’ll be nearly impossible for disabled people, seniors, and others.
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
Hear Ray @nerd4cities.bsky.social on Chicagoans, how our love for city living is on the verge of pathological (but in a good way amirite @betterstreetschicago.org ?), on Edgewater, where you can live out all your transit oriented dreams, the beauty of our beaches, and more :
youtu.be/QEIhHB-j_PU?...
youtu.be/QEIhHB-j_PU?...
November 23, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Hear Ray @nerd4cities.bsky.social on Chicagoans, how our love for city living is on the verge of pathological (but in a good way amirite @betterstreetschicago.org ?), on Edgewater, where you can live out all your transit oriented dreams, the beauty of our beaches, and more :
youtu.be/QEIhHB-j_PU?...
youtu.be/QEIhHB-j_PU?...
Y’all know my priority is transit, pedestrian, and biking infrastructure, but this piece does lay out a clear path forward on EVs in a hostile federal environment. You can do a lot without much money. That said, same applies to transit, pedestrian, and bike infrastructure too. 1/2
Chicago lost millions of dollars in EV charger funding under Trump. Area mayors are pushing ahead anyway.
Chicago-area mayors push ahead on EVs despite federal pullback
Trump funding cuts scrambled the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus' plans to deploy chargers, but the group is redoubling other efforts to boost EV adoption.
www.canarymedia.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Y’all know my priority is transit, pedestrian, and biking infrastructure, but this piece does lay out a clear path forward on EVs in a hostile federal environment. You can do a lot without much money. That said, same applies to transit, pedestrian, and bike infrastructure too. 1/2
The @chicagocta.bsky.social needs to start running delayed buses express for part of their run. Currently waiting on an extremely late 81 that’s now only 2 minutes ahead of its scheduled run. Going westbound, it should just run express from the Red Line Western Ave to get back on schedule.
November 20, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The @chicagocta.bsky.social needs to start running delayed buses express for part of their run. Currently waiting on an extremely late 81 that’s now only 2 minutes ahead of its scheduled run. Going westbound, it should just run express from the Red Line Western Ave to get back on schedule.
Cannot overstate how exciting it is that the Orange Line is going to run 24/7.
November 16, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Cannot overstate how exciting it is that the Orange Line is going to run 24/7.
When you have a big win you celebrate. When you have TWO big wins you celebrate extra hard! Finally, members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition are toasting to passing major clean energy and transportation legislation that will decarbonize Illinois! We’re the national leaders in this moment!
November 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
When you have a big win you celebrate. When you have TWO big wins you celebrate extra hard! Finally, members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition are toasting to passing major clean energy and transportation legislation that will decarbonize Illinois! We’re the national leaders in this moment!
Just thinking about the time I was in remote Alaska and connected through Juneau (which is extremely small, extremely remote, but also a major cruise hub). I brought one token of the Midwest: a cicada necklace I wore whenever in town. So many Midwest visitors stopped me on the street to comment.
November 14, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Just thinking about the time I was in remote Alaska and connected through Juneau (which is extremely small, extremely remote, but also a major cruise hub). I brought one token of the Midwest: a cicada necklace I wore whenever in town. So many Midwest visitors stopped me on the street to comment.
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
Launched today: the State Economic Power Project! This dives into cost of living + climate, on 2 pillars: (1) household budgets and (2) state budgets. Thank you Sarah Bloom Raskin, @jordanhaedtler.bsky.social @kostyack.bsky.social @advitt.bsky.social
climatecabineteducation.org/state-econom...
climatecabineteducation.org/state-econom...
State Economic Power Project Resources - Climate Cabinet Education
Check this page for policy resources related to insurance regulation, disaster recovery policy, and more.
climatecabineteducation.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Launched today: the State Economic Power Project! This dives into cost of living + climate, on 2 pillars: (1) household budgets and (2) state budgets. Thank you Sarah Bloom Raskin, @jordanhaedtler.bsky.social @kostyack.bsky.social @advitt.bsky.social
climatecabineteducation.org/state-econom...
climatecabineteducation.org/state-econom...
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
Fuck every alder who voted against plowing the sidewalks in chicago. I hope you don't slip and fall and break some bones.
Special fuck you to the alder who did some terrible "back of the napkin" math. Stop ruining our lives!!!!
Photos from a two block stretch of a busy commercial corridor.
Special fuck you to the alder who did some terrible "back of the napkin" math. Stop ruining our lives!!!!
Photos from a two block stretch of a busy commercial corridor.
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Fuck every alder who voted against plowing the sidewalks in chicago. I hope you don't slip and fall and break some bones.
Special fuck you to the alder who did some terrible "back of the napkin" math. Stop ruining our lives!!!!
Photos from a two block stretch of a busy commercial corridor.
Special fuck you to the alder who did some terrible "back of the napkin" math. Stop ruining our lives!!!!
Photos from a two block stretch of a busy commercial corridor.
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
As someone else posted: "Why does the House, the largest chamber, not simply eat the Senate?"
I've said it before, and I will say it again.
We need courageous leaders that put working families at the center of all they do.
8 democrats caving to empty promises is an indefensible leadership failure
For the sake of our country, Schumer needs to resign.
We need courageous leaders that put working families at the center of all they do.
8 democrats caving to empty promises is an indefensible leadership failure
For the sake of our country, Schumer needs to resign.
November 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
As someone else posted: "Why does the House, the largest chamber, not simply eat the Senate?"
So grateful to be able to continue to support the work @betterstreetschicago.org does. From volunteer to staff to coalition partner to funder I’m glad to keep this work going.
We're so grateful for the generous support of Micheál Podgers, helping power our work for another year!
If you'd like to join them to in helping sustain our advocacy, we invite you to join us TONIGHT for our 3rd Annual Fundraiser!
🎟️ betterstreetschicago.org/annual-fundr...
If you'd like to join them to in helping sustain our advocacy, we invite you to join us TONIGHT for our 3rd Annual Fundraiser!
🎟️ betterstreetschicago.org/annual-fundr...
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
So grateful to be able to continue to support the work @betterstreetschicago.org does. From volunteer to staff to coalition partner to funder I’m glad to keep this work going.
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
See an unplowed sidewalk today? We want to see it!
Be sure to post and use the tag #PlowTheSidewalks — oh and be sure to tag your alderperson too, letting them know you still want to see a pilot program!
Be sure to post and use the tag #PlowTheSidewalks — oh and be sure to tag your alderperson too, letting them know you still want to see a pilot program!
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
See an unplowed sidewalk today? We want to see it!
Be sure to post and use the tag #PlowTheSidewalks — oh and be sure to tag your alderperson too, letting them know you still want to see a pilot program!
Be sure to post and use the tag #PlowTheSidewalks — oh and be sure to tag your alderperson too, letting them know you still want to see a pilot program!
November 10, 2025 at 5:51 AM
The Illinois General Assembly made a transformative investment in transit across the state by passing the NITA Act, which authorizes critical transit governance reforms for the Chicago region and also invests an additional $1.5 billion in state funding to transit — annually!
With a 35/22 vote, transit funding and reform passes the Illinois Senate. An historic governance reform and $1.5 billion annual investment in transit proceeds!
Transit funding passed the Illinois House 72/32. Off to the Senate!
November 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The Illinois General Assembly made a transformative investment in transit across the state by passing the NITA Act, which authorizes critical transit governance reforms for the Chicago region and also invests an additional $1.5 billion in state funding to transit — annually!
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
ice/border patrol active in aurora, another area frequently targeted over the last couple months.
also back in wheaton, west chicago, st. charles, niles.
rapid responders confirm ice presence at both the kane and dupage county courthouses. www.facebook.com/share/p/17fb...
also back in wheaton, west chicago, st. charles, niles.
rapid responders confirm ice presence at both the kane and dupage county courthouses. www.facebook.com/share/p/17fb...
November 7, 2025 at 4:27 PM
ice/border patrol active in aurora, another area frequently targeted over the last couple months.
also back in wheaton, west chicago, st. charles, niles.
rapid responders confirm ice presence at both the kane and dupage county courthouses. www.facebook.com/share/p/17fb...
also back in wheaton, west chicago, st. charles, niles.
rapid responders confirm ice presence at both the kane and dupage county courthouses. www.facebook.com/share/p/17fb...
Reposted by Micheál Podgers
federal agents are back in the skokie/evanston area this morning.
this video, posted to facebook about 10 minutes ago, shows federal agents driving through the williamsburg village subdivision amid construction vehicles parked along the road.
lots of residents out with whistles.
this video, posted to facebook about 10 minutes ago, shows federal agents driving through the williamsburg village subdivision amid construction vehicles parked along the road.
lots of residents out with whistles.
November 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
federal agents are back in the skokie/evanston area this morning.
this video, posted to facebook about 10 minutes ago, shows federal agents driving through the williamsburg village subdivision amid construction vehicles parked along the road.
lots of residents out with whistles.
this video, posted to facebook about 10 minutes ago, shows federal agents driving through the williamsburg village subdivision amid construction vehicles parked along the road.
lots of residents out with whistles.
Fran Spielman needs to retire. Her reporting is absolutely a detriment to Chicago.
November 7, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Fran Spielman needs to retire. Her reporting is absolutely a detriment to Chicago.
One of the first things the new NITA board needs to do is convert the UPN into to regional rail. Built a third track, add infill stations at Irving Park Road, Belmont, Fullerton, and Halsted/Division, and put up some wires! This line needs CalTrain levels of investment with development levels.
Slightly insane that there's a 500 foot, 460 unit highrise going up literally on Goose Island chicagoyimby.com/2025/11/firs...
First Construction Permit Issued For Halsted Pointe With Revised Masterplan - Chicago YIMBY
A construction permit has been issued for the first tower within the Halsted Pointe development at 931 North Halsted Street on Goose Island.
chicagoyimby.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:15 PM
One of the first things the new NITA board needs to do is convert the UPN into to regional rail. Built a third track, add infill stations at Irving Park Road, Belmont, Fullerton, and Halsted/Division, and put up some wires! This line needs CalTrain levels of investment with development levels.
Bring em back!
Here's a photo of the old Chicago streetcar rails under Western Ave. that have been uncovered by construction. I took this from the Brown Line platform.
November 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Bring em back!
This is good news. I’m glad to see the Mayor came around on this. Although it’s hard not to feel a little bitter that the administration managed to utterly sideline advocates who rang the alarm in the process. So thank you @betterstreetschicago.org @hsrail.bsky.social and the Chaddick Institute.
“If the terminal were to close, Chicago would become the largest city in the northern hemisphere to not have an intercity bus terminal, according to a policy brief released last summer by DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute.” 🚍
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/5...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/5...
City Plans To Buy Greyhound Bus Station Downtown
Ald. Bill Conway said he discovered a $50 million line item for the bus station tucked into tax-increment financing reports. The Mayor's Office confirmed the city intends to use the money to purchase ...
blockclubchicago.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
This is good news. I’m glad to see the Mayor came around on this. Although it’s hard not to feel a little bitter that the administration managed to utterly sideline advocates who rang the alarm in the process. So thank you @betterstreetschicago.org @hsrail.bsky.social and the Chaddick Institute.